yBg7W

Message from the PresidentIt seems like just a couple of years ago I was preparing a talk for the40 th anniversary of the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Now, we are gearingup to celebrate the 50 th in 2016 by launching our 50 th AnniversaryFundraising Campaign this summer. Time flies when you are having fun, andit is a pleasure to play a role in preserving remaining prairies, knowing thesenow rare natural communities have been around for several thousand years.I feel strongly that, if we study them, these remnant prairies hold the keysfor many solutions to 21 st century challenges such as food and energy security,economic development, and biodiversity adaptation to climate change.We have an example of one such creativesolution in this issue, “Grassland RestorationMPF membershave made thisnearly 50-year-oldorganization andits conservationaccomplishmentspossible. I inviteall members tojoin me in takingpart in our 50thAnniversaryCampaign, to investin future prairieprotection.to Renewable Energy.” The article describesMPF Technical Advisor Rudi Roeslein’s multidisciplinaryapproach to an environmentalproblem that harnesses ecosystem servicesof prairie plants to provide bioenergy, cleanwater, wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration.Roeslein’s plan is a shining example ofwhat is possible.As we move forward into the second halfcentury of our conservation work, we welcomeyour involvement and ideas to expandour organization and apply knowledge gainedfrom ancient, remnant plant communities forlandscape-scale solutions to environmentalchallenges.I look forward to seeing you at our Prairies& Pollinators event on June 26 in Kansas Cityand our MPF Annual Dinner to benefit MPFon August 23 in Springfield, featuring Dr.Peter Raven as our guest speaker. Please see theback cover for details about these exciting eveningsand other upcoming events. I hope youenjoy this issue.Jon R. Wingo, PresidentMissouri Prairie Foundation Grow Native!Committee Chair Carrie Coyne, holdingLUSH Charity Pot Lotion, with, from left,Elaine Chollet, Sara Stoker, and KelseyEversmeyer of LUSH Cosmetics. Manythanks to LUSH for its 2014 supportof the Missouri Prairie Journal and forhosting MPF in its St. Louis Galleriastore on May 3.The mission of the Missouri Prairie Foundation (MPF)is to protect and restore prairie and othernative grassland communities throughacquisition, management, education, and research.OfficersPresident Jon Wingo, Wentzville, MOImmediate Past President Stanley M. Parrish, Walnut Grove, MOVice President Doris Sherrick, Peculiar, MOVice President of Science and Management Bruce Schuette, Troy, MOSecretary Van Wiskur, Pleasant Hill, MOTreasurer Laura Church, Kansas City, MODirectorsSusan E. Appel, Leawood, KSDale Blevins, Independence, MOGlenn Chambers, Columbia, MOBrian Edmond, Walnut Grove, MOMargo Farnsworth, Smithville, MOPage Hereford, St. Louis, MOScott Lenharth, Nevada, MOWayne Morton, M.D., Osceola, MOSteve Mowry, Trimble, MODonnie Nichols, Warsaw, MOJan Sassmann, Bland, MOBonnie Teel, Rich Hill, MOPresidential AppointeesDoug Bauer, St. Louis, MOGalen Hasler, M.D., Madison, WIRick Thom, Jefferson City, MOEmeritusBill Crawford, Columbia, MOBill Davit, Washington, MOLowell Pugh, Golden City, MOOwen Sexton, St. Louis, MOTechnical AdvisorsMax Alleger, Clinton, MOJeff Cantrell, Neosho, MOSteve Clubine, Windsor, MODennis Figg, Jefferson City, MOMike Leahy, Jefferson City, MODr. Quinn Long, St. Louis, MORudi Roeslein, St. Louis, MOJames Trager, Pacific, MOStaffCarol Davit, Executive Director and Missouri Prairie Journal Editor,Jefferson City, MORichard Datema, Prairie Operations Manager, Springfield, MOCarol Davit2 Missouri Prairie Journal Vol. 35 No. 2